I don't get ash

12-02-2008, 12:06 PM

While I like to see how long an ash I can get goin', I'm always worried once I get a good one that the dang thing is going to land in my lap. Not the end of the world of course. Just stand up and shake it off, don't rub and that usually takes care of it. But then, what's the ashtray I bought for?

I'd rather the ash fall in the tray rather than on the deck but the wind will take care of that. So it's all a matter of the mood I'm in. Either let it build and not worry about it or gently roll it off in the tray.

pnoon · 12-02-2008, 12:09 PM

The longer ash does help keep the smoke cooler. And for that reason, I will try and keep from ashing but I just never understood the game of seeing how long the ash can get. Seems a bit juvenile to me.

icurrie · 12-02-2008, 12:12 PM

I read that the "lightness" of the ash has to do with the soil that the tobacco is grown in. The whiter the ash, the more rich the soil. I think it was the editor of Cigar Afficionado.....
Anyone else heard of this?

Raralith · 12-02-2008, 12:17 PM

How does the longer ash make it cool better? I can't see how that works.

As for keeping the ash, for me it's an indicator of how well rolled the cigar is. If the ash breaks away half an inch, more than likely it's a bit too lose. I also like the look of a cigar with some ash, but I always tap it 1/3 way through (more if it's a lancero).

White ash means that everything is combustable, while a black ash means that everything has not combusted. Nee explains the ash thing, but basicly, as a cigar ages, the fermentation starts to break down everything. A white ash means that more things are broken down and it can be easily burned. A dark or black ash means that there are still a lot of raw materials that have not been broken down from fermentation and therefore not as combustable. Next time you see a dark ash, light it up and you'll see it turn white.

Search my post for "Illustrated Encycopledia" which has the Cliff Notes version of what Nee is saying.

NCRadioMan · 12-02-2008, 12:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Raralith

How does the longer ash make it cool better? I can't see how that works.

The ash works like a heat sink to disperse the heat, thereby keeping it a bit cooler.

Volt · 12-02-2008, 01:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Raralith

How does the longer ash make it cool better? I can't see how that works.

As for keeping the ash, for me it's an indicator of how well rolled the cigar is. If the ash breaks away half an inch, more than likely it's a bit too lose. I also like the look of a cigar with some ash, but I always tap it 1/3 way through (more if it's a lancero).

White ash means that everything is combustable, while a black ash means that everything has not combusted. Nee explains the ash thing, but basicly, as a cigar ages, the fermentation starts to break down everything. A white ash means that more things are broken down and it can be easily burned. A dark or black ash means that there are still a lot of raw materials that have not been broken down from fermentation and therefore not as combustable. Next time you see a dark ash, light it up and you'll see it turn white.

Search my post for "Illustrated Encycopledia" which has the Cliff Notes version of what Nee is saying.

Hmmm interesting thoughts

Volt · 12-02-2008, 01:22 PM

Dang 2 pages on ASH.... Who would have thought. It does confim to me that a lot of folks are concerned with it though.

Thanks for all the input guys.

12-02-2008, 01:41 PM

A long ash keeping the cigar cooler has never been proven or disproven to my knowledge. As mentioned it is all about perception (which is the case in most of this glorious hobby).The concept is that the ash acts like a radiator to help pull heat away from the cigar as well as a reduction in the oxygen that is needed for combustion of the tobacco.

Try it with or without long ash and see whether you can tell the difference your preference is what matters.

12-02-2008, 01:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SilverFox

A long ash keeping the cigar cooler has never been proven or disproven to my knowledge. As mentioned it is all about perception (which is the case in most of this glorious hobby).The concept is that the ash acts like a radiator to help pull heat away from the cigar as well as a reduction in the oxygen that is needed for combustion of the tobacco.

Try it with or without long ash and see whether you can tell the difference your preference is what matters.

What if you barrow the laser thermometer that the guys on the rink? You could do a study and report back.

NCRadioMan · 12-02-2008, 06:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SilverFox

A long ash keeping the cigar cooler has never been proven or disproven to my knowledge. As mentioned it is all about perception (which is the case in most of this glorious hobby).The concept is that the ash acts like a radiator to help pull heat away from the cigar as well as a reduction in the oxygen that is needed for combustion of the tobacco.

Try it with or without long ash and see whether you can tell the difference your preference is what matters.

You can tell the difference after numourous ppp's.

kayak_rat · 12-02-2008, 04:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pnoon

The longer ash does help keep the smoke cooler. And for that reason, I will try and keep from ashing but I just never understood the game of seeing how long the ash can get. Seems a bit juvenile to me.

To someone with your advanced age........don't most things......

I have noticed ash directly corresponds to rolling style and smokability.

pnoon · 12-02-2008, 05:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kayak_rat

To someone with your advanced age........don't most things......

You're a pip.

csbrewfisher · 12-02-2008, 01:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mrreindeer

I'd rather the ash fall in the tray rather than on the deck

I bought a dust buster just for the ashes that fall on the deck. That thing comes in handy, at least in the summer.

12-02-2008, 12:06 PM	#1
mrreindeer Guest Posts: n/a	Re: I don't get ash While I like to see how long an ash I can get goin', I'm always worried once I get a good one that the dang thing is going to land in my lap. Not the end of the world of course. Just stand up and shake it off, don't rub and that usually takes care of it. But then, what's the ashtray I bought for? I'd rather the ash fall in the tray rather than on the deck but the wind will take care of that. So it's all a matter of the mood I'm in. Either let it build and not worry about it or gently roll it off in the tray.

12-02-2008, 12:09 PM	#2
pnoon YNWA Join Date: Oct 2008 First Name: Peter Location: San Diego Posts: 29,919 Trading: (20)	Re: I don't get ash The longer ash does help keep the smoke cooler. And for that reason, I will try and keep from ashing but I just never understood the game of seeing how long the ash can get. Seems a bit juvenile to me. __________________ Be more concerned with your character than your reputation, because your character is what you really are, while your reputation is merely what others think you are. -John Wooden

12-02-2008, 12:12 PM	#3
icurrie Still Watching My Back Join Date: Oct 2008 First Name: Iain Location: Winnipeg, Manitoba Posts: 216 Trading: (16)	Re: I don't get ash I read that the "lightness" of the ash has to do with the soil that the tobacco is grown in. The whiter the ash, the more rich the soil. I think it was the editor of Cigar Afficionado..... Anyone else heard of this?

12-02-2008, 12:17 PM	#4
Raralith Death to the Unbelievers Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Southern California Posts: 475 Trading: (24)	Re: I don't get ash How does the longer ash make it cool better? I can't see how that works. As for keeping the ash, for me it's an indicator of how well rolled the cigar is. If the ash breaks away half an inch, more than likely it's a bit too lose. I also like the look of a cigar with some ash, but I always tap it 1/3 way through (more if it's a lancero). White ash means that everything is combustable, while a black ash means that everything has not combusted. Nee explains the ash thing, but basicly, as a cigar ages, the fermentation starts to break down everything. A white ash means that more things are broken down and it can be easily burned. A dark or black ash means that there are still a lot of raw materials that have not been broken down from fermentation and therefore not as combustable. Next time you see a dark ash, light it up and you'll see it turn white. Search my post for "Illustrated Encycopledia" which has the Cliff Notes version of what Nee is saying.

12-02-2008, 01:22 PM	#7
Volt I'm nuts for the place Join Date: Oct 2008 Posts: 2,799 Trading: (19)	Re: I don't get ash Dang 2 pages on ASH.... Who would have thought. It does confim to me that a lot of folks are concerned with it though. Thanks for all the input guys. __________________ Curing the infection... One bullet at a time.

12-02-2008, 01:41 PM	#8
SilverFox Guest Posts: n/a	Re: I don't get ash A long ash keeping the cigar cooler has never been proven or disproven to my knowledge. As mentioned it is all about perception (which is the case in most of this glorious hobby).The concept is that the ash acts like a radiator to help pull heat away from the cigar as well as a reduction in the oxygen that is needed for combustion of the tobacco. Try it with or without long ash and see whether you can tell the difference your preference is what matters.